Art

My work explores the tension and relationship between absence and presence, seen and unseen, the hidden and revealed, the simulacra and the original. The works are sacramental, i.e. revealing or hinting at hidden truths in a physical action. The works often invite participation, allowing internalisation of the work, adding to the sacramentality.

Here is some of my work, I hope to fill this page soon. Also some collaborations I have worked on with some brilliant artists.

My work

Vacuity - Installation

pluralvacuities

an empty spacethe state, fact, or quality of being vacuoussomething (as an idea) that is vacuous or inane

This work explore the tension between absence and presence. What once was present is now lost, yet leaves traces/symbols. It is the emptiness, loss that defines us as human. Loss pulls us forward, motivates, pushes. The moth gave its life for the silk, the fragility and beauty of the silk a testimony to the moth, a trace.

Look Inside - Installation

This was an installation done for 3rdplace Church, a missional community in Pretoria, South Africa, that I am a part of.

The work is an interpretation of the stations of the cross, in a very simplified form. Participants were asked, through a projection on the wall, to 'Look Inside'.

The closed boxes were filled to relate to the stations,1. Olive Branches.2. Thorns3. Raw Bones and Meat.4. Painted with matt black paint.

My work explores the tension and relationship between absence and presence, seen and unseen, the hidden and revealed, the simulacra and the original. The works are sacramental, revealing, or hinting at hidden truths in a physical way. It invites participation, allowing internalisation of the work.

Self Portrait, Memento Mori

Memento Mori means 'Remember you will die', this work is an interpretation and updated version of the Vanitas paintings done in the 17th Century​It is a reminder to live, by pointing to seriousness and death, it points to life and joy, the skull seems a little happy, serving as a reminder to live in the present moment.​Photographer: Bernard BrandSkull: by Friday Gibu from Bronze Age

I don't

It is a little challenging to photograph, but the work is comprised of layers of white on white. Bottom layer is white bridal satin, then followed by a white page with braille lettering on that repeatedly spells out the words 'I DON'T', the top layer is a bridal veil. ​The words 'I DO' were then embroided with white thread, by hand in a attempted classic style, through all three layers.The needle was left in the work. ​

Collaborations

Pieta

The first image in a larger body of work of reworked religious imagery which explores the artist’s, Bernard Brand, struggle with cultural and religious identity.

​A Pietà is about sacrifice, loss, sadness. So many of us, across races, if not all of us have sacrificed for our country at different times in history, willingly or unwillingly. Some were intentional about giving their lives, others’ lives were taken from them. We often forget that this was her, Mary’s, son, her little boy, that she had no choice but to see die.

A Pietà in carries in it the obvious sadness and overwhelming loss, but also a hidden sense of hope. That there will be a new morning, that there will be resurrection and new life.

Through the portrayal of universally experienced sense of loss the work portrays the release of the paradoxical tension between races, identities.

Thank you Mr Jobs

This image conveys the artist’s, Bernard Brand, personal struggle with spirituality and connection to the divine, as well his observation of the continuing secularisation of society. The heroically portrayed Saint on the other hand seems to be effortlessly holy, connected to both the divine and the contemporary. He lives in the secular and the sacred simultaneously, and navigates the tension with admirable ease.For the artist this is an aspirational image, a call to live in tension in order to create harmony.

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“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.”